Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Before looking at our verse this morning, let’s consider verses 17-19. Paul warned the Philippian believers of people who walk a different way because they are the “enemies of the cross of Christ.” What are these people like?
Interestingly, Paul starts by telling us their end: destruction. He also describes how they live: “whose God is their belly”-anything that they want to do, they do to fulfill their immediate desires; “whose glory is their shame”-what should be shameful to them, they actually glory in! I can think of many people celebrated on television who fit this description.
As Paul started this verse explaining their end, he ends this description of the enemies of the cross by telling their beginning (why they live this way): “who mind earthly things.” They live as if this earthly life is all that there is. It would make sense to just eat, drink, and be merry if there were no eternity to be mindful of. I Corinthians 15:19 even says how miserable we would be if hope in Christ was “in this life only.” But the reality is that hope in Christ is NOT for this life only: there is an eternity to be mindful of!
Now let’s look at the contrast in verse 20, “Our conversation is in heaven. . . .” Those of us who know the Lord should be living each day in the light of eternity. We should be making choices each day that lay up treasures in heaven.
I recently read a story about a wealthy farmer who was proudly showing an old evangelist all of his property and buildings. The evangelist responded, “And, sir, what do you have built in heaven?” This was a question to which the wealthy farmer had no good answer.
We must not let our minds become focused on the here and now; we must not start thinking of this earth as our home. Though we are here on this earth for a time, our affection and loyalty must be to our heavenly home. America has many foreign workers whose love and affection is still with their homeland; when they earn wages, they send that money back “home” to their families. That is where their hearts and minds are each day as they go about their work. How much more should we, as children of God, be focused on our eternal home as we go about our work each day!
This focus of mind will affect our “conversation,” our manner of living. The book of Hebrews shows us how the focus of Abraham affected the choices he made here on earth. Hebrews 11:10 says, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” In contrast, his nephew Lot had his eyes on the allurements of this present life. Lot’s wrong focus led to the destruction of his home; Abraham’s eternal focus led to the fulfilling of God’s promise of a Messiah through his seed.
Living with eternity in view will affect how we use our money, how we use our time, how we respond to difficulty, how we raise our children, and so many other things. Ironically, laying up treasures in heaven makes this present life so much sweeter too! Where is your focus today?
Prayer Requests:
1. Revival services tonight in Huntingdon, PA, and Peach Springs, AZ
2. Bill Rice Ranch Elementary Retreat II this weekend (9/11-12)
3. West Branch Regional Youth Conference in Phoenix, AZ this weekend (9/12)